That's a heavy statement, considering some of the NBA point guards making headlines include reigning MVP Derrick Rose, of the Chicago Bulls, as well as All-Stars Deron Williams, of New Jersey; Chris Paul, now of the Clippers; Rajon Rondo, of Boston; and Russell Westbrook, of Oklahoma City.
And don't forget two wily veterans, Phoenix' Steve Nash and Dallas' Jason Kidd, who still have a lot of game left.
"Jrue has some special talents," Sixers veteran forward Elton Brand said. "I played with a savvy veteran in Sam Cassell, and he knew how to control a ballgame.
"That's what Jrue is still learning, but he absolutely has the things to be a star in this league. His defense is uncanny; he has good size, shoots the ball, can pass with either hand and really sees the court."
The NBA is an ever-evolving league and right now it is a point-guard-driven league. In truth, it isn't the classical definition of a point guard, but most successful NBA teams have a floor general capable of controlling the ebb and flow of a game.
In a sophomore campaign during which he thrived under first-year coach Doug Collins, Holiday averaged 14.0 points and 6.5 assists. In the Sixers' five-game playoff loss to the Miami Heat, he averaged 14.2 points, 5.6 points and 2.0 steals.
It is not a stretch to say Holiday is the most important player on the Sixers roster in terms of this team's long-term direction. If Holiday can emerge as a legitimate All-Star-caliber point guard, the Sixers finally will have the anchor player they haven't had since Allen Iverson was in his prime.
"I think he's shown a maturity beyond his years," said Sixers player personnel director Courtney Witte, who was instrumental in scouting Holiday, who became the 17th overall pick in the 2009 draft after one season at UCLA. "He's still a young man, but he's got a great approach to the game that is beyond his years.
